EDSA rites to be held in Palace

This year’s commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution will no longer be held at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) but in Malacañang.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the EDSA People Power Commission headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. decided to hold the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the peaceful revolt at the Palace grounds to avoid inconvenience to motorists and commuters.

He said the ceremonies will include the traditional “salubungan” to mimic the meeting of the people and soldiers in the 1986 revolt that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Other activities include a “pulong-bayan [town hall meeting]between President Benigno Aquino 3rd and representatives of various sectors.

The EDSA Revolution—which occurred from February 22 to 25, 1986—is annually commemorated on February 25.

According to Coloma, this year’s anniversary will have the theme “Kapit-bisig para sa Pagbangon [Linking arms together toward recovery].

He said that the administration is shifting the focus of EDSA 1 celebrations from those who took part in the 1986 revolt to modern-day Filipinos working together to fight poverty.